Forsaking the Years of Longing
Forsaking Billionaire 86

Chapter 10

At the wedding.

Inside the manor's grand hall, the lofty crystal chandeliers shimmered softly in the morning light, casting a glow that perfectly complemented the crimson carpet spread across the floor.

Matthew, dressed in a tailored suit, looked dashing and composed, while Charlotte, in a flowing white gown, stood by his side as they welcomed the guests outside the hall.

"Sir, madam... she..." Emma stood hesitantly nearby, her head lowered, a look of unease on her face.

"Daphne hasn't returned yet? She's been missing for a whole day, and you still haven't found her?" Matthew's irritation was evident, his tone sharp. Charlotte gently tried to soothe his rising temper. "Don't worry," she said lightly, "maybe Daphne just didn't want to come to our wedding."

"Keep looking for her. If you can't replace her, you can all pack your things and get out!" Matthew's voice carried a commanding authority that left no room for objection.

As the wedding march began, the ceremony officially commenced. Guests turned their attention to the couple walking down the red carpet.

Under the guidance of the priest, Matthew and Charlotte exchanged rings, and the church erupted with applause and cheers.

Yet, throughout the ceremony, Matthew seemed distracted.

Daphne's sudden disappearance weighed heavily on him, and his gaze frequently wandered offstage.

Even as the wedding concluded, Daphne's absence loomed large.

An uneasy feeling gnawed at Matthew, and he was eager to leave for home to look for her. However, Charlotte caught hold of his hand. "Matthew, where are you going? The wedding just ended, and you're leaving me behind already?" Matthew paid no attention to Charlotte's words and was about to walk out of the hall.

"I went through so much trouble faking illness to marry you, and you're just going to walk away like this?" Charlotte's voice, tinged with anger, escaped her lips without thought.

"You've been pretending to be sick this whole time?" Matthew turned back, his sharp gaze fixed on her.

Realizing her slip, Charlotte hurried forward, grabbing Matthew's hand and deciding to lay it all bare. "Matthew, you wanted to marry me anyway, didn't you? You won't blame me for this, right?" Matthew felt a surge of anger rising within him, but his urgency to replace Daphne took precedence.

"We'll deal with this when I get back!" he snapped.

Just then, Emma rushed over with a gift box in hand, presenting it to Matthew. "Sir, someone left this box just now and left immediately. Inside, it's... the key to the estate that belonged to madam!" Matthew opened the box and confirmed it was indeed the key he had personally given to Daphne years ago.

"Did you see who left it?" he demanded, his pace quickening as anxiety gripped him. He was desperate to return to the Roberts estate and replace Daphne.

Emma shook her head. "The person was wearing a hat. I couldn't see their face-they just left the box and walked away."

"Keep looking for her. I'm going home to check!" Matthew said, striding out of the manor and driving straight to the Roberts estate.

Returning home, Matthew, who rarely paid attention to the house's details, immediately noticed that something felt off.

He rushed upstairs, heading straight to Daphne's room, and flung the door open. "Daphne!" he called out.

The room was empty. The wedding photo that had once hung on the wall was now replaced with Charlotte's portraits.

Only then did Matthew realize that the room, once shared by him and Daphne, had been entirely taken over by Charlotte.

"This was our wedding room- Charlotte's things?"

Daphne's room! Why is it full of In a fit of rage, Matthew turned to a maid cleaning in the hallway. "Explain this!"

The maid trembled as she put down her cleaning supplies. "Sir, a few days ago, Charlotte said you ordered madam to give up this room to her, so I notified madam..."

"You and Charlotte!" Matthew cursed under his breath as he stormed downstairs.

He hurried into the garden, hoping to replace Daphne there, but was met with another shock. The once-vibrant rose garden, which Daphne had cherished, was now withered and barren. Only then did Matthew realize how long he had been neglecting Daphne.

At that moment, Emma rushed into the garden from the gate, panting as she called out, "Sir, we've found madam! But..."

"But what? Speak up!" Matthew turned to her, his brows furrowed deeply, his voice filled with urgency.

"Madam... she doesn't seem to remember you!"